Dear Editor:

Regarding the recent articles in The Vidette about the mental health location in McCleary in the old Mark E. Reed Hospital building.

Different stories from different people have really got this in a big mess, now we have lawsuits against the city.

First off, the grant that was received for $2 million dollars was first worked on in April-May of 2016. I have done many grants and I know you have to have a lot of information before you submit. Things like location, plans, purpose, etc. This was not brought to the McCleary council members until September 2016. Why the big delay? Why be secret about this? It is quite apparent that no one wanted anyone to know what was going on in our town.

First, the rent was $250 a month, then at the last meeting it was said it was $250 per year (EDITOR’S NOTE: former Summit Pacific Medical Center CEO Renee Jensen said the hospital would lease the facility for $275 per year during a city council meeting on March 22). This is not what I would call market rent.

When the hospital wanted to close Mark E. Reed Hospital and build a new one, the heads of the hospital said, it was outdated, not enough room, building had lots of violations and they could not find a suitable place in McCleary to relocate, so they built a new hospital in Elma. Now I find out that it was not a building code violation but a health code violation. There is a lot of difference in the two. I was on the hospital board and they had building code violations, water problems and lots of other problems that they have not addressed.

The hospital district pays no real estate taxes on their property. Are our taxes going to support this property?

This will decrease property values in the same area, as this was zoned for residential use. A medical clinic of this type is a risk factor to the neighbors and the people in town. There is not enough room to build a security fence and still keep the road. This will cause traffic problems and will be an extra worry and a burden on our police force, which is very understaffed now.

The hearing examiner should have report and suggestions back to the council by this next meeting. Please attend this and other meetings so you are aware what is going on in your town.

Helen Lake Hamilton

McCleary